It's been called "the rocket" and described as a giant green Coke bottle.

Dallas' Fountain Place tower is one of the most recognizable shapes on the downtown skyline.

Designed by architects Harry Weese, Harry Cobb with I.M. Pei and Associates and landscape architect Dan Kiley, Fountain Place — originally called the Allied Bank Tower — is one of the most exuberant examples of Dallas' 1980s architecture.

So the team that's doing the first major renovation of the skyscraper is treading lightly through its green glass halls and among its bubbling fountains.

"The building is very iconic and recognizable even if people don't know it by name," said Chris Curson with architect Gensler, who's been working on the renovation and addition plans for the 60-story office tower. "It's the green building that stands out on the horizon. It has become a landmark."

Sadly it's also behind the times.

Back in 1983 when they unveiled plans for Fountain Place, office tenants just wanted fast elevators and lots of square footage.

They were less concerned with getting extra parking and fancy tenant amenities in vogue today.

"Things were different in the 1980s — no tenant lounges, conference areas, fitness centers," Curson said. "These are now hot topics and things tenants are interested in.

"We are bringing the building up to address current needs."

New York-based architect James Carpenter and Gensler have worked to revamp the lobby, plaza and common areas of Fountain Place.

A photo of the original model of the Fountain Place block showing two matching towers connected with a landscaped plaza.

(DMN files)

On the northeast side of the tower they are constructing a 10-story parking garage and retail stores. And, the redesign opens the lobby up more to the outside plaza with its cypress trees and fountains.

"You are going to have a 28-foot tall expanse of glass on the perimeter that is unobstructed," Curson said. "You will get clear, unobstructed views through the lobby.

"Having visibility through the lobby to the plaza actually connects the building to the plaza better," he said.

The namesake plaza around the base of the tower will be repaired and enhanced but isn't going away.

"The site is basically staying unchanged," Curson said. "The owner has been very sensitive to that."

The Fountain Place renovations — which won't be done until next year — are already resulting in leasing. Agents at Cushman & Wakefield have signed more than a half million square feet of renewals.

I've been writing about Fountain Place since before it was built.

The project was the second or third development planned at the corner of Ross Avenue and Field Street.

Originally there was to be a twin 60-story office skyscraper and a Hyatt Hotel next door. But then the 1980s real estate world imploded and the other buildings never left the drawing board.

Like the second Bank of America tower and the twin Cityplace Tower on North Central Expressway, Fountain Place's phase two never happened.

But the building's impact on Dallas' skyline was never in doubt.

The pending construction of a 45-story residential tower next door will finally fill the vacant space on the block.

An early design for the Fountain Place block shows granite towers and a glass-roofed garden building at the corner.

(DMN files)

Original architects rendering of the Fountain Place Tower at Ross Avenue and Field Street showing the building with a more silvery glass.

(DMN files)

Original site plan for Fountain Place, with a matching tower on the left and a Hyatt Hotel planned at the top of the diagram.

(DMN files)

An original model of Fountain Place showing the two planned towers.

(DMN files)

New lobby plans for Fountain Place raise the ceiling, add more clear glass on the exterior and feature art glass walls by James Carpenter.

(Gensler)

Redevelopment at Fountain Place includes construction of a 10-level garage and retail space on the northeast side of the tower. That area was originally planned for a Hyatt Hotel.